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New York governor issues first US executive order against BDS - Shlomo Cesana, Yoni Hersch and Associated Press

Order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo forces New York state entities to drop investments linked to anti-Israel boycotts • Order "immensely helpful," says Israeli minister • Tens of thousands march down New York City's Fifth Avenue in show of support for Israel.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
(right) marches in the annual Celebrate Israel parade in New York City,
Sunday

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Photo credit: AP

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday issued
the first executive order in the United States that forces state
entities to drop investments linked to boycotts of Israel.

The Democratic governor expects state agencies
to divest all public funds from any company or individual with ties to
the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, which was founded in
2005 to protest Israel's policies toward the Palestinians by boycotting
Israeli products and companies.

Cuomo says New York state will boycott anyone who is boycotting Israel.

"This order sends the message that this state
will do everything in its power to end this hateful, intolerant
campaign," he said. "New York and Israel share an unbreakable bond and I
pray that the Israeli and Palestinian people will find a way to live
side by side and find peace, prosperity and security."

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who
oversees Israel's ongoing battle against anti-Israel boycott efforts,
remarked Sunday: "I want to thank the governor of New York for this
important step, which will be immensely helpful to Israel in its battle
against BDS."

Cuomo signed the order at Manhattan's Harvard Club before marching in the annual Celebrate Israel parade.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny
Danon also marched down New York City's Fifth Avenue on Sunday,
together with a number of high-ranking state officials. In a massive
show of support for Israel, tens of thousands of Israel supporters took
part in the event, which was attended by representatives of schools,
pro-Israel organizations, synagogues, Christian groups and many others.

Danon marched alongside Israeli Consul General
Ido Aharoni and a delegation of Israeli dignitaries including MKs,
diplomats and pro-Israel activists.

"It warms my heart to see tens of thousands of
Americans take to the streets to show their support for Israel," Danon
said. "We have a true friend in the U.S. The alliance between our people
is stronger than ever."

Meanwhile, under the governor's new directive,
New York state officials must now compile a list of businesses and
groups engaged in any "boycott, divestment or sanctions targeting
Israel, directly or through a parent or subsidiary."

The list will be assembled using "credible
information available to the public," according to the order. Anyone
appearing on the list will have the right and the opportunity to appeal.

The United Jewish Appeal in New York praised Cuomo for being the first governor to issue an executive order opposing BDS.

In a statement, CEO Eric S. Goldstein said his
organization was "proud that the governor of New York state has taken
this historic action to stand with Israel and reject the BDS movement."

However, a leading constitutional rights attorney called the action "21st century McCarthyism."

Baher Azmy, the legal director of the New
York-based nonprofit Center for Constitutional Rights, said that with
the executive order, Cuomo bypassed the state legislature and what Azmy
called "the possibility of a bona fide debate on the American tradition
of boycotting in support of social justice."